Ask the Plastic Surgeon (6)

Question: I’ve been thinking about getting breast implants and have no idea what size would be best for me. How would I determine that? What is your most commonly requested size?

Answer: There are many things to think about when deciding on an appropriate postoperative breast size. The first thing that you would want to consider is whether or not you want to go with a very natural look or a more “stand out” appearance. As we all know, breast enhancement can be a very subtle change or incredibly dramatic. With this in mind, you need to take into account your body frame. A 5’ tall, size 4 petite person will look quite different with a small C cup breast versus a woman who is 5'9" and wears a size 12. This is simply a matter of proportion and balance. Another thing you will want to think about is your lifestyle. For instance, if you are a runner, a DD breast may not be the most comfortable option. However, women that prefer exercise with less impact may be perfectly happy with this size. Unfortunately, the bra industry, like the clothing industry in general, has not standardized its sizes; cup dimension varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, making size comparisons somewhat subjective and therefore challenging to determine. Taking all of this into account, the majority of women in the Midwest are choosing a full C cup, whereas women on the West Coast, are more likely to request the D to DD size. A cup size that is in proportion to the rest of the body will offer a woman more wardrobe options right off the rack, where a larger breast size and smaller frame will generally require tailoring. It is very helpful to see the before and after photos of your surgeon’s work to help you determine which size would be appropriate for you. It is also important that you consult with an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon that will listen to you and work with you to establish a size and surgical approach that is safe for you. As you can see, there are many things to consider.